Rookie dept. : " the 23 rookies likely to be starting by Wk 1 of the season " ~ ~

Pat Kirwan - NFL Insider

The 23 rookies likely to be starting by Week 1 of the NFL season

Eddie Lacy wasn't drafted in the first round, but he'll be starting in Green Bay by Week 1. (USATSI)

The NFL draft drew 20 million viewers on Thursday night for the first round, and fans around the world were excited to see the players selected for their favorite teams. I don't want to dampen the enthusiasm people have for the new injection of talent, but there is a reality check about the draft that has to be realized for this September.On opening day this fall, 704 players will be announced as starters in the NFL, excluding kickers and punters. How many of those starters will be rookies? If you look back at the draft classes of the past 10 years, there should be an expectation for 25-30 rookie starters, or about 3 to 4 percent of the opening day starters.

As a class of 254 drafted rookies (usually it is 256, but New Orleans lost a second-round pick for Bountygate and the Browns used their second in the supplemental draft last summer), my expectations have always been about 11-12 percent of the rookies drafted will be named starters for opening day. The truth is it will take time for the draft picks that we all got excited about last weekend to actually make an impact in the NFL.I talked with a number of front-office executives and coaches since the draft, and they agree that this looks like a normal year with a typical number of rookies working their way to the starting lineup for Week 1. As I look at this class, I do see 25-30 rookie starters.

I loved the Vikings' draft, but I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that all three first-round picks are in the starting lineup opening day. Keep in mind there will be a number of veterans signed between now and then, and that will only reduce the number of rookie starters. Rookie offensive linemen should dominate the rookie starters with 11 getting the call to start from the beginning.Here's a look at the 23 players whom I think get their name called to take the field from the beginning of the season and the seven players battling to make it to opening day. Usually, defensive players get to the starting lineup a little bit earlier because the learning isn't as complicated as the offense.

8. Darius Slay, CB, Lions: Bill Bentley is coming back from injury and doesn't have the talent of Slay.

9. Bjoern Werner, DE, Colts: Erik Walden is a career backup.

10. Manti Te'o, Chargers, LB : Jonas Mouton is a backup.

11. Eric Reid, FS, 49ers: Craig Dahl will do his best to hold him off but should fade late in the summer:

12. Alec Ogletree, ILB, Rams: There doesn't appear to be any competition.

ON THE BUBBLE

For cornerback Dee Milliner of the Jets, it comes down to Kyle Wilson battling him this summer. Also, cornerback Xavier Rhodes should beat out A.J. Jefferson for the Vikings, cornerback Leon McFadden of the Browns has to prove he's better than Buster Skrine, and safety T.J. McDonald might be better than Rodney McLeod, but the Rams might still sign a veteran if both don't have a solid camp.Free safety Matt Elam will get every chance to take Ed Reed's spot on the Ravens, but he wouldn't be the first late first-round safety to take some time to get on the field. Guys like defensive end Dion Jordan (Dolphins) will probably get situational work to start their careers kind of like Aldon Smith had when he first came into the league -- he didn't start a game but did have 14 sacks.

Finally, by the end of the season, 60 rookies should be in starting lineups and a lot more contributing, but don't think for a minute many of these young men will be ready the first week or that the veterans are going to surrender their positions.

So pretty much everyone who is starting on defense literally has no competition.

I don't know who they think will beat out Sheldon Richardson considering Coples has moved to the outside. However, our first 2 round picks have kind of been overshadowed by the Geno pick, which I like. People had way too high of expectations for Stephen Hill last year and were just downright nasty when he didn't come in the league performing like Calvin Johnson (Newsflash: Not many receivers do).

Dee Milliner is a starter, regardless of if he's clearly better than Wilson, or not. With the offenses in the NFL, right now, a slot/nickel corner IS a starter. Richardson will also, most likely, get the starting nod.

Dark horse/sleeper: Rontez Miles, at free safety. I believe the Jets actually like the young guys on the roster, but it's going to be an open competition. Barring a FA signing, he's got as good a shot as any, at the starting FS spot.

That article is crap because Raiders first three picks have a much better chance to be starting than all those players combine. We aren't exactly talking about a 49er type of starting lineup they are coming to. Yet I don't see one Raider draft choice on that list.